Impact Makers: Khaled Mohamed Noby

Balancing renewable energy expansion with biodiversity conservation in Egypt. By Climate Champions | November 14, 2024

NAME

Khaled Noby Mohamed

TITLE
Executive Director, Nature Conservation Egypt (NCE)

LOCATION
Cairo, Egypt

ABOUT

Khaled Noby Mohamed leads Nature Conservation Egypt (NCE), an organization dedicated to integrating biodiversity conservation into the renewable energy sector. As Egypt undergoes an expansion of renewable energy production to meet growing domestic demand and reduce emissions from fossil fuels, NCE is playing a critical role in ensuring that the country’s rich biodiversity, especially its migratory birds and threatened native species, is protected.

MOTIVATIONS

“After earning my BSc in Environmental Science from Aswan University, I joined Egypt’s Protected Areas before pursuing a master’s degree at the University of Cologne, where I learned the importance of integrating conservation efforts with local culture and heritage. This experience shaped my commitment to impactful, sustainable conservation. Renewable energy, while beneficial, can also have unintended consequences on biodiversity, and these should not be overlooked. I am dedicated to addressing these challenges by advocating for thoughtful planning that respects both migratory and local biodiversity, ensuring our initiatives have lasting, meaningful impact.”

IMPACTS

Before

While challenges are ongoing, before NCE’s interventions, Egypt’s renewable energy sector faced significant challenges in balancing energy development with wildlife conservation:

• Migratory birds frequently collided with powerlines, particularly in high-risk areas such as the Sinai Peninsula, which lies along a major migratory Flyway.
• Species like the Uromastyx aegyptia (Egyptian spiny-tailed lizard) were overlooked in national and international conservation efforts, and their habitats were increasingly under threat from energy infrastructure expansion.
• There was limited recognition of the impacts of energy infrastructure on wildlife, especially bird populations, and little action was being taken to address these issues.

After

Since NCE’s initiatives under Khaled’s leadership, significant progress has been made:

• In collaboration with the Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company (EETC) and the Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency (EEAA), NCE installed bird diverters along 20km of high-risk powerlines in Sinai. This initiative, supported by BirdLife International, has made powerlines more visible to birds and is expected to significantly reduce bird collisions, particularly during migration periods.
• NCE conducted Egypt’s largest national powerline survey, covering approximately 300km, identifying high-risk areas for bird collisions. This data has been instrumental in guiding targeted conservation efforts.
• NCE successfully conducted a comprehensive field survey in collaboration with partners such as AMEA Power and the Regional Center for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (RCREEE). As a result, 13 Uromastyx aegyptia lizards were captured, cared for, and released back into their natural habitat.
• NCE worked with local communities to ensure the long-term sustainability of these conservation efforts, engaging them in protecting local species and raising awareness about the importance of biodiversity.

Challenges

Khaled and his team faced several challenges in their work:

• Securing funding for conservation initiatives like bird diverters and species protection projects was a significant challenge. The collaboration with BirdLife International and other partners helped address this.
• Raising awareness among local communities and gaining their support for conservation efforts required strategic outreach and education. NCE organized consultations and workshops to encourage collaboration and ensure long-term success.
• Finding funding for infrastructure improvements at NCE, such as renting suitable workspaces for the expanding team or acquiring vehicles for fieldwork, remains challenging. Most available funding, according to Khaled, does not cover these essential operational needs, limiting resources for effective on-the-ground conservation.

Future Goals

“My vision for the future of NCE is to establish it as a leader in biodiversity conservation, fully integrated into Egypt’s renewable energy transition. With renewable energy expanding rapidly, NCE is focused on creating a robust, national-level capacity-building program to ensure a steady stream of qualified professionals who can address the growing conservation needs. This effort will support not only NCE’s work but also the broader sector as conservation measures become essential for sustainable development.

In parallel, we are leading an ambitious biodiversity offset project with AMUNET Wind Power, aiming to achieve net zero loss in avian biodiversity throughout their operations in Egypt. By establishing effective conservation frameworks, providing actionable solutions to mitigate biodiversity impacts, and fostering collaborative partnerships with the private sector, I believe we can drive impactful conservation outcomes while supporting Egypt’s development goals.”

Advice

“My key advice to leaders and organizations committed to nature conservation in a fast changing world is this: never underestimate the power of small, consistent efforts. No matter how daunting the challenge, keep planting seeds of hope every day, even if the impact isn’t immediately visible. Focus on the actions you can take now and let the results come with time. One day, you’ll look back and find that each seed has grown into a strong tree, forming a lasting forest of impact.

Balancing conservation with development requires resilience and a long-term perspective. As we face obstacles, remember that each effort contributes to a broader, cumulative impact. It’s these continuous, steady actions that create meaningful change.”